Chapter 1589: Education Foundation

His attention was drawn to Long Qilin's adorable little ones, and Long Qilin breathed a sigh of relief, realizing Qin Mu probably wouldn't pursue the matter of the "old Cult Master" title anymore.

Qin Mu traveled around the city with these strange, small creatures—a mix of bird, beast, and dragon—observing Yan Kang's customs and local life. Their presence made the journey quite enjoyable.

One little creature ran onto his shoulder and peered inquisitively into his ear canal, clearly very curious.

Two more little ones hid in his hair but soon started squabbling over this "nest."

"Cult Master, the Beast Realm has developed very quickly over the years."

Long Qilin, walking beside him, said, "The Beast Realm is vast, with the highest concentration of beast tribes on the backside of the Ancestral Court. I've helped Long Xiao build many divine cities there. Numerous cities have also been established on the backside of the Primordial Realm, Xuandu, and Youdu. And..." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I discussed with the Emperor a strategy, inspired by the ancient tactic of 'reducing troops while increasing cooking stoves,' to relocate some of Yan Kang's population to the backside of the Primordial Realm. Many divine cities have been established there, and that place is now known as Little Yan Kang."

Qin Mu let out a long breath when he heard this.

Little Yan Kang in the Beast Realm was Yan Kang's escape route.

"The 'reducing troops while increasing cooking stoves' plan prevents the Celestial Heavens from noticing Yan Kang's population decrease. Additionally, by using the Book of Life and Death to erase their traces of existence, these people can go to the Beast Realm without anyone knowing, thus establishing a second Yan Kang."

Long Qilin added, "I also wield considerable influence in the Beast Realm. For years, I've been working to enlighten the beast tribes there. Saint Lan Yutian has several beast tribe disciples, all ancient giant beasts, and their assistance was crucial in establishing Little Yan Kang."

Qin Mu nodded, feeling greatly pleased.

In the Ancestral Court, Lan Yutian preached and taught, attracting many ancient giant beasts who, under his guidance, gained sentience, learned cultivation, and evolved into a new race: the beast race.

After the Beast Realm was opened, Qin Mu sent Long Qilin to accompany Long Xiao there. These beast tribes also followed Long Qilin to the Beast Realm, as Qin Mu's intention was for Long Qilin to manage affairs and establish another sphere of influence within the Beast Realm.

The Beast Realm is situated on the dark side of the myriad worlds, characterized by a harsh environment. Yet, should war erupt, it would ironically serve as the ultimate sanctuary.

The fewer people aware of this plan, the better. Therefore, Qin Mu had to entrust his most reliable associate with this task. Long Qilin's long absence was precisely because he was managing this critical undertaking.

"Using reverse summoning divine abilities, the powerful beast cultivators and I have been bringing the people of Yan Kang to the Beast Realm. Progress has been slow over the years because we had to remain cautious of Long Xiao, to prevent him from discovering our plans, but we have achieved some success."

Long Qilin smiled and said, "Cult Master, when will you visit Little Yan Kang in the Beast Realm?"

Qin Mu smiled and said, "I have complete faith in your work. Pi, in my mind, you have long proven yourself capable of handling things independently."

Long Qilin was overjoyed and really wanted to wag his tail. However, his esteemed position in the Beast Realm, second only to Long Xiao, had made him somewhat reserved.

Qin Mu patted his large head, and Long Qilin, unable to resist, wagged his tail twice, thoroughly content.

Qin Mu spent a week exploring this divine city. He visited the markets, residential areas, primary schools, and universities. Spreading his divine sense, he listened to every conversation, gathering insights into the lives of the city's inhabitants.

"This divine city is good. Although there are some flaws, it is generally progressing well."

Qin Mu suddenly said, "I've seen the divine city, but how are things developing below?"

He walked to the city's edge and looked down at the land below, where numerous villages and towns were scattered.

Long Qilin followed him down to the land. Qin Mu walked through the countryside, stopping at a town, and asked, "Do all the children here have names?"

Long Qilin replied, "They all have names. My surname is Long, and Yan'er's is Zhu. The boys take my surname, and the girls take hers. The eldest, a boy, is named Changli. The second, a girl, is Hongyu. And the third, who is very articulate, is Tanxuan..."

As Qin Mu walked through the town, he noticed it was mostly inhabited by elderly people with some children, while young and middle-aged adults were scarce. This made him frown.

He then visited the town's primary school and sat in on a few lessons, which only made his frown deepen.

The townspeople's clothing was far less vibrant and pristine than that of the divine city's inhabitants. Their living conditions were significantly worse, as was their diet.

What was even more alarming was the state of the primary schools and universities. The teachers instructing the children were mostly ordinary divine arts practitioners, few of whom were exceptionally talented. Their teaching was superficial, merely getting by, and some teachers themselves had only a partial understanding of the subjects.

He questioned an elderly resident, who explained, "All the young people have left for the divine city, or gone to the mines and manufacturing plants. Some have even crossed mountains to Xiajing. We're fortunate if we see them once or twice a year."

"So, what about the primary schools and universities in the countryside..."

"With fewer people, the primary schools and universities can't sustain themselves. Some have long since closed, though our town is larger, so we still manage. Children from families with some money go to the city for schooling. Those without money have no choice but to stay here, learning what little skills they can to avoid starvation."

Qin Mu stood dazed in the dilapidated primary school, murmuring, "It's only been a little over a hundred years... only a little over a hundred years..."

Long Qilin cautiously remarked, "Cult Master, their lives are actually much better than they were a hundred years ago."

Qin Mu shook his head. "This is not what I wanted," he said. "Let's keep going and see what's ahead."

He arrived at a rural village, which appeared even more dilapidated. Qin Mu didn't linger, immediately asking where the village primary school was located.

"It closed down over ten years ago," someone replied, leading him to the ruins of the rural primary school.

Qin Mu and Long Qilin continued their journey, traversing the countryside. Above them, the dazzling divine city bustled with extreme prosperity, while below, the desolate rural towns were inhabited only by the elderly and the young.

As he traveled through many cities and villages in Yan Kang, his frown never eased.

As night deepened, Qin Mu stopped. Long Qilin, with his little ones, built a bonfire, and they all sat around the flames.

Long Qilin explained, "Cult Master, this is actually inevitable. The development of divine cities naturally attracts young and middle-aged adults, as they find opportunities there to contribute, study, and achieve greater development. However, divine cities don't require the elderly or children, so they are left behind in the countryside. This is a matter of objective justice, but not necessarily equitable distribution."

Qin Mu nodded. "I understand," he said. "These are principles I taught you."

Long Qilin sighed in relief and smiled. "Since Cult Master understands this principle, you must know that the faster Yan Kang develops, the more distinct social strata will emerge. Some, relying on their abilities and talents, earn substantial wealth, rise in status, and hold prominent positions. Others, though a step behind, can still thrive and live comfortably without worrying about basic necessities. Then there are those who, unable to become divine arts practitioners, must remain in the countryside. Yan Kang's philosophy of applying knowledge, valuing talent, and integrating theory with practice, where only the capable achieve success—isn't this precisely the Cult Master's ideal?"

Qin Mu nodded. "I understand that," he said. "These are also principles I taught you."

"Then why does Cult Master still look so worried?"

Long Qilin asked, perplexed, "Yan Kang's development over the past century has consistently followed your ideals and the sagely path of self-improvement for the common people. Why then does Cult Master still harbor such worries?"

Qin Mu exhaled slowly and said gravely, "Everything else can operate according to meritocratic principles, but education cannot."

Long Qilin was startled. "Yan Kang's education makes no distinction," he said. "Whether from a poor or wealthy family, everyone can learn the best divine arts and supreme techniques. Yan Kang holds nothing back. Isn't this just?"

Qin Mu added wood to the bonfire, its flames illuminating his face, causing shadows to shift. "People's aptitudes vary, their comprehension differs greatly, and their temperaments are also diverse," he began. "After growing up, their achievements and social strata will naturally differ, and this is correct and proper. However, there must be no social strata in education."

"Parents may be dull and fall into poverty, but their children are not necessarily dull. If a child is exceptionally talented but born into a poor family, and cannot receive a good education due to their impoverished circumstances, thus wasting their brilliance and becoming ordinary—this is the greatest injustice. For them to become ordinary simply because of their family's poverty might be considered a 'fair' consequence, but it is not 'just'!"

"Currently, everything in Yan Kang seems well, but its education system is not just. If this educational stratification continues, the poor will become poorer, with no chance of ever improving their situation. This is what truly frightens me. Yan Kang's reform moving in this direction is not what I intended."

Qin Mu mused, "Reform is meant to give people hope, not to solidify social strata. Among the Celestial Saint Cult's 360 halls, there were no schools until I became Cult Master and established them. Back then, all the students came from impoverished families at the bottom of society. If we could achieve this then, why can't we do it today?"

His brows were tightly furrowed. "The voices of the poor are quiet, their cries barely audible," he said. "Even if they cry out loudly in the wilderness, the people in the divine city won't hear them. But someone must speak for them—not to secure their individual futures, but to seek justice for their descendants. I am the Imperial Preceptor, the one with the highest standing in the divine city. If I don't speak, who else will speak for them?"

Long Qilin frowned, pondering for a long time. "I've noticed Cult Master has been preoccupied lately, and I fear a great war is imminent," he said. "If education is to undergo reform now, it will inevitably affect the interests of many and could destabilize the foundations of the upper class."

Qin Mu poked the bonfire, his voice grave. "The Celestial Heavens intends to move on Youdu, then seize Wuyou Township, and then Yan Kang, to restore demigod rule and leave humanity with no power to resist. Implementing educational reform in Yan Kang at this time would indeed cause some chaos. But what I aim for is not temporary victory or defeat, but Yan Kang's lasting prosperity and perpetual triumph! Educational reform now will lead to centuries, even millennia, of prosperity. Otherwise, today's upper class will become tomorrow's Ten Celestial Venerables—a truth we must not overlook."

He let out a low chuckle. "Currently, in the myriad worlds, demigods devour people, which is why Yan Kang must overthrow demigod rule. But if humans start devouring each other in the future, that would be the real joke! As Imperial Preceptor, I must fulfill my duties. Educational reform is imperative. I will petition the Emperor to promote Patriarch Wenyuan to oversee this matter. Patriarch Wenyuan is always down-to-earth, but he still needs to spend a few years traveling through the countryside to fully understand the conditions there."

Long Qilin looked at him and suddenly smiled. "Cult Master is still the Cult Master of old," he said. "Since this matter is settled, perhaps Cult Master should take a trip to the myriad worlds."

Qin Mu looked at him in surprise.

Long Qilin smiled. "The Celestial Heavens is promoting Celestial Coins to control the world's economy. Back then, Cult Master established the strategy of minting coins as a cornerstone for the nation. A century has passed; Cult Master should now go and observe the situation in the myriad worlds."

Qin Mu thought for a moment. "Whether Yan Kang's great undertaking succeeds depends on the will of the people—not just the will of Yan Kang's people, but also the will of the people across the myriad worlds," he said. "All right, let's go on a trip to the myriad worlds!"

He stood up. Long Qilin's little creatures were still sleeping, so Little Tu Bo made a shushing gesture and gently gathered them.

Long Qilin opened his ears, allowing Qin Mu to pick up the little ones and place them inside.

The two then headed for the nearest divine city. Along the way, Qin Mu had already finished writing a memorial. Upon reaching the city, he immediately ordered it to be sent urgently to Yan Kang's Upper Capital.

Ling Yuxiu reviewed the memorials late into the night. Upon reading Qin Mu's memorial, she pondered for a moment before ordering someone to go to the Ancestral Court and invite Wenyuan.

"The cowherd rarely returns, and he didn't even come to see me, only sending a memorial..."

She shook her head. The memorial not only discussed educational reform but also the matter of Youdu, requesting her to send people to find Ling Tianzun, Yue Tianzun, Lang Wo, and Kaihuang.

Ling Yuxiu suppressed her personal thoughts, telling herself, "The war in Youdu cannot be lost, or Yan Kang will be in peril!"

She immediately ordered people to search for the whereabouts of these Celestial Venerables. "The cowherd didn't come back this time," she wondered, "where did he go now?"